These smoked salmon crackers layer pesto-kissed cream cheese, crisp cucumber, silky smoked salmon, briny capers and fresh dill for a no-cook appetizer that looks catered in minutes. Build right before serving for the best crunch- or prep components ahead for stress-free entertaining.
Why You’ll Love This Appetizer
No cook, 15 minutes, 5 ingredients – When you need something quick and easy but the oven is otherwise occupied, these little bites are perfect.
High impact, low effort – For holidays, brunch or cocktail parties, easy is better. And these crackers require minimal effort but pack a big taste.
Scales easily for any crowd – Hosting a small soiree? These are perfect. But you can easily double or triple the recipe for larger gatherings like holidays.
What You’ll Need
You can find all of these smoked salmon cracker ingredients at your local grocery store. A full list of ingredients with measurements for this recipe is available in the printable recipe card below.
- Smoked salmon– There are two ways to smoke salmon. Hot smoked and cold smoked. The most common is cold smoked in which case the salmon is not fully cooked, but is cured, giving it a smokey flavor. Try to find a thinly cut salmon. It is easiest to cut into the right shapes and sizes using kitchen shears.
- Capers– Capers are so under used, wouldn’t you agree? I love the briny little pop of flavor they provide. Use the brined kind and rinse them if aren’t a fan of that flavor profile. Roll them on a paper towel or blot dry.
- Cream cheese
- Pesto
- Crackers
- Cucumber
- Fresh dill
- Flakey sea salt
Hot Smoked or Cold Smoked Salmon?
Either works, it is really up to the flavor profile you are aiming for. Here is the difference:
Cold-smoked (thin, silky, classic “lox” style) = elegant, easy to drape/fold.
Hot-smoked (flakier, more “cooked”) = bolder smoke flavor, a bit messier but still delicious
How to Make Smoked Salmon Crackers (Step-by-Step)
These crackers can be made ahead of time, but no more than 4-5 hours or you’ll risk the cream cheese softening the cracker.
- Make pesto and add to crackers. Blend the softened cream cheese with pesto. Thinly spread the mixture on each cracker, being careful to not break the crackers! Have a few extras on hand, it happens.
- Add toppings. Top each cracker spread with a cucumber slice, piece of smoked salmon, 1-2 capers and a small piece of fresh dill. Sprinkle with flaky sea salt, if desired.
- Chill and serve. Place them on a serving platter and serve immediately or chill until ready to eat.
Chef Tip
Since this recipe only requires a few ingredients, make sure they are a good quality and the crackers are sturdy!
Variations
These salmon bites are so easily modified to fit your taste buds.
- Lemon-dill: Replace pesto with lemon zest and dill in cream cheese for a citrus and herb twist.
- Everything seasoning: Skip the capers and instead add a pinch of everything bagel spice.
- Herb goat cheese: Swap part or all cream cheese for chèvre (tangier). The flavor is strong but delicious.
- Gluten-free: Use sturdy gluten free crackers or cucumber “coins” as the base.
Commonly Asked Questions
Sort of- prep the components ahead (pesto cream cheese, sliced cucumber, cut salmon, rinsed/dried capers), but assemble close to serving. Once built, the cream cheese starts softening the crackers; try to keep assembly within 2–3 hours max for the best crunch.
Pick something sturdy and flat-ish so it won’t snap under the toppings. Think water crackers, crostini-style crackers, or any thicker “entertaining” cracker. Chef tip: if a cracker bends in the box, it’ll definitely bend on the platter.
Both work, but you’ll get different vibes:
– Cold-smoked (thin, silky, classic “lox” style) = elegant, easy to drape/fold.
– Hot-smoked (flakier, more “cooked”) = bolder smoke flavor, a bit messier but still delicious.
Only if you’re sensitive to the brine. A quick rinse + blot keeps them punchy without tasting like you took a sip of the jar.
More Salmon Recipes
We love salmon in our house. Here are some of our favorites that we know you’ll love too.
Smoked Salmon Crackers (No Cook!)
Ingredients
- 10 ounces cream cheese , softened
- 2 tablespoons basil pesto
- 40 crackers
- 40 slices cucumber , thinly sliced
- 12 ounces smoked salmon , thinly cut
- 1/4 cup capers , drained
- 3 sprigs fresh dill
- flakey sea salt , such as Maldon
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, mix the softened 10 ounces cream cheese with 2 tablespoons basil pesto. Thinly spread the mixture on each of the 40 crackers.
- Top with a slice of 40 crackers, piece of 12 ounces smoked salmon, 1-2 capers and a small piece of fresh dill. Sprinkle with flakey sea salt, if desired. Not all need to have cucumber or salmon, I sometimes I make a mix.
- If you've tried this recipe, come back and let us know how it was in the comments or star ratings.
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These smoked salmon crackers were the perfect addition to the snacks we had for our guests at out most recent party. They were a big hit so I can definitely see us making them again soon!
What an elegant and cute appetizer! I can’t wait to serve it when we have guests over this weekend!
Simple and delciious appetizer. Thanks for sharing.
These crackers with smoked salmon was such a great snack. We enjoyed it with a family move last night.
I love smoked salmon – and these are so easy, but look so elegant! Can’t wait to try them.